Bench-plane.



Patented Oct. 7, I902.

J. A. TRAUT.

BENCH PLANE.

(Application filed Dec. 28, 1901.)

2 Shets-Shaat I.

(No Model.)

A WM/// luv/en t0): Justus AJra/ut. fly his uittorney UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JUSTUS A. TRAUT, OF NElV BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE S"ANLEY RULE & LEVEL COMPANY, OF NE\V BRITAIN, CONNECTI- CUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

BENCH-PLAN E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 710,542, dated October 7, 1902.

Application filed December 28, 1901. Serial No. 87,532. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, JUSTUS A. TRAUT, a citizen of the United States, residing in New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bench-Planes, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to bench-planes; and it consists, substantially, in the improvements hereinafter more particularly described.

Considerable attention has been given in recent years to the construction and operation of bench-planes (both metal planes and wooden planes) with a view to increasing the general effectiveness and range of efliciency thereof, and more especially to the construction and organization of the elements or parts constituting the operative mechanism of the plane, as well as to the manner of seating and securing such mechanism within or upon the plane stock or body. Principal among the difficulties encountered in planes usually is the undue vibration or chattering of the edge or operative portion of the planeiron, due largely to the drag or upward resistance offered by the surface of the wood operated upon, particularly in the case of hard woods. To overcome such chatteringin a metal plane, it has been suggested to provide the upper surface of the sole of the plane with two steps, one raised or elevated above the other and the two constituting remotely-situated stepbearings for a so-called frog firmly held upon said bearings and flexed to thereby steady the same, and thus prevent chattering of the plane, while still permitting of adjustments of the plane-iron for varying the width of the throat of the plane. As is obvious, a construction or organization of the kind mentioned is not practicable with a plane having a wooden body; but,as hereinafter-specifically explained, practically the same results are attained in a wooden plane by means of substantially the construction and organization ofdevicesherein employed. Other difficulties and disadvantages have also been frequently met with in the construction and operation of the adjusting elements of the operative mechanisms of planes generally,

(both metal and wooden planes,) since in many embodiments hitherto devised or employed it is always diflicult and often practically impossible to effect the adjustment of one of such parts or elements without disarranging or dislocating the whole or some other part or parts of the mechanism and which is a decided objection for several reasons. Still further, in many instances hitherto the so-called wooden planes are both heavy for convenient use and comparatively expensive to manufacture on account of the considerable amount of material employed in the con struction of the essentially metallic portions thereof, and for which and other reasons the commercial advantages of the plane are greatly lessened as well as its utility.

The present invention has for its object to overcome all of the above-mentioned difficulties and disadvantages and to provide a benchplane possessing the greatest stability between the several elements or parts thereof and also in which each part or element combines maximum strength with extreme lightness and delicacy of structure.

A further object is to greatly improve this class of tools generally, both from a commercial as well as from a practical standpoint, whereby the cost of the plane is reduced and the effectiveness and efficiency of the same enhanced over and above many planes hitherto devised with similar ends in view.

A further object of the present invention is to provide simple and effective means for preventing chattering of the operative portion of the plane-iron and also to provide a plane mechanism of great stability and compactness and one in which the up and down adjusting devices for the plane-iron may be set to any position desired irrespective of whether the said mechanism is in place within or upon the plane body or stock.

A still further object is to provide a plane mechanism adapted for use with plane stocks or bodies of different standard sizes without requiring any change eitherin the adjustment or fastening of any of the elements thereof, all as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a longitudinal vertical sectional elevation of a bench-plane embodying my several improvements, said view be ing taken substantially on the median line of the plane. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of my improved bench -plane with the operative mechanism thereof detached or removed to more clearly indicate the construction of the plane-stock, as well as the inclined seats or supports which receive and cooperate with the uppermost projections or raised bearingsurfaces on the rear or under side of the adjustable supporting-frame of said operative mechanism. Fig.3isalongitudinalsectional view of the top iron of the plane, taken about centrally. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of my improved bench-plane, taken about on the same line as in Fig. 1, the stock or body of the plane being broken 0d at the ends. Fig. 5 is a view looking from the rear or under side of the adjustable supporting-frame for the operative mechanism of the plane (appurtenances being removed) to more clearly indicate the arrangement and location of the projections or raised bearing-surfaces on said frame. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line X X of Fig. 7 to indicate more clearly one of the slots and screws or similar fastenings by which the adjustable frame of the plane mechanism is confined in place upon the seats therefor, said view being minus the planeiron and its adjusting devices, as well as the top plate and clamping bow or lever shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse sectional view looking toward the right of Fig.1 and being partly broken away at one side to indicate one of the screw-holes in the plane-stock and also being minus the forwardly-adjusting device for the plane-iron, as well as said latter element and the top plate and clamping bow or lever shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrative of the adaptation of my improved plane mechanism to plane bodies or stocks of different sizes or dimensions.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated that in carrying my invention into effect I provide the body or stock of the plane of any suitable wood adapted to the purpose, and I form therein an opening extending from top to bottom thereof for the reception of the operative mechanism of the plane, which mechanism comprises suitable ordinary adjusting devices for the plane-iron both in vertical and lateral directions. The said operative mechanism also includes an adjustable supporting-frame con structed with a sole-plate in which is formed the throat for the proper working of the cutting edge of the bit or plane-iron, and said supporting-frame is otherwise constructed in the manner and for the purpose hereinafter specifically explained. Then the elements of the operative mechanism of the plane are properly adjusted relatively to each other and the supporting-frame thereof also adjusted and secured in place within the stock, opposing forces or strains are set up or established between the said frame and stock at dilferent points, as well as between the frame and clamping-bow at substantially corresponding points, the tendency of such strains or forces in one direction being to firmly hold or press the remote bearing-surfaces of the frame to their supporting-seats and those in the other direction to dislodge or pull the frame therefrom, whereas in virtue of the peculiar construction and organization of the different cooperating parts the said forces tend to slightly bend or tiex the frame between its hearings on the stock, and the resultant effect is to establish equilibrium and perfect stability between the several elements of the plane mechanism, and thereby prevent vibrating action of the supporting-frame, and consequently elfectually preventing or overcoming any tendency of the operative portion of the bit or plane-iron to chatter or vibrate in the use of the plane either upon hard or soft woods. Through the vertical adjustments of the said supporting-plane for the plane mechanism the amount of protuberance or projection of the wearing-sole from the under or operating surface of the plane-stock may be varied or altered so as to receive practically much the greater part of the wear of the plane, and it will be apparent that in any of such adjustments the vertical position of the operative edge of the plane-iron will be correspondingly altered or changed. The lateral as well as the vertical adjustments of the plane-iron, however, are effected independently of the adjustments of said frame, and, as will be seen hereinafter, the devices for effecting the latter adjustments may be set before introducing or seating the plane mechanism within the stock. Moreover, the organization is such that even after the said plane mechanism is seated within the stock either one or all of the adjustments mentioned may be made without dislocation of any one or more of the elements or parts. My improved plane mechanism is complete in itself and constitutes a compact and stable structure adaptable to planes of different heights or dimensions within certain limits, and thus said mechanism may be kept in stock in large quantities and sold to the trade separately from the bodies of the planes, if desired. This also is a great advantage in that said mechanism may be applied to plane-bodies of one size or another either at the time of sale or when the planes are sent to market or else when substituting either a plane-body or one set of mechanism for another, as in instances of renewals and repairs.

Specific reference being had to the accompanying drawings, A represents an ordinary plane stock or body constructed of any suitable wood and formed at a suitable point in the length thereof with an opening a, extending from the upper surface I) to the lower and operating surface, said opening being for the accommodation and working of the parts or elements of which the plane mechanism is made up or constituted. The surface of the front wall of the opening a may be straight at (Z for its full height, if desired, whereas at a suitable distance from the under side of the stock said wall is preferably undercut, so as to form a downwardly and forwardly inclined beveled surface e,as shown. The surface of the rear wall of said opening is inclined upwardly and rearwardly at f substantially at an angle of forty-five degrees (more or less) from the point g of the stock, thus decreasing the length of the opening toward the bottom of the stock, as shown, the width of said opening between the sides of the stock being of equal extent throughout. The beveled or inclined surfaces 6 and f are parallel with each other, the said surfacef being longer or higher than the surface eand serving not only to position the plane mechanism within the stock, but also in part as a seat and resistance for the lower end of the adjustable supporting-frame of the plane mechanism, to be hereinafter described.

Secured to the upper surface of the stock or body of the plane in any suitable manner, and preferably by means of screws, such as It, is the top iron 0, constructed of a single piece and formed with the slightly-elevated centrally-disposed side portionsz' 6, connected together at the upper edge of the forward wall of opening a, of the stock by means of a slightly-raised rib j, said side portions having thei r in nersurfaces substantially even or flush with the inner surfaces of the two sides of said opening, while the outer surfaces thereof are preferably somewhat within the side or corresponding surfaces of the plane-stock, this construction tending to greater strength and more equal distribution of weight and strain throughout the plane structure. The said side portions i 2' of the plane-iron extend rearwardly a suitable distance beyond the upper edge of the rearwardly-inclined surface of the rear wall of said opening a of the stock, and they are turned or inclined inwardly at 7c, whence they merge or terminate in parallel strengthening-flanges Z Z, between which is snugly seated the elongated base m of the rear handle u of the plane. The said handle nis securely fastened in place by means of a rod 0 passing down through the same,and the lowerthreaded end of which is received in a projection 0 on the top iron, having a similarly-threaded opening to receive it, said rod being provided with a screwcap 0 at its upper end fitting a countersink at the upper surface n of the handle. From this construction it will be seen that the said handle is securely braced against lateral strains in the manipulation of the plane and that the fastening therefor is also largely relieved of such strains, thereby tending to greater effectiveness and security of fastening. Seated upon the forward flanged portion 1' of the top iron is the forward knob or handle i secured in place by one of the screws h entering the stock or body A, as shown.

Situated upon the upper surface of the plane stock or body A, intermediate or between the raised side portions of the top iron 0, are preferably two seats or supports .9 s, which are each substantially pyramidal in side view, with the upwardly and rearwardly inclined edges or faces 3' 3 thereof preferably flush with and constituting practical extensions or continuations of the said upwardly and rearwardly inclined surfacefof the opening a of the stock, said seats also cooperating with the supporting-frame of the plane mechanism, as already suggested and to be presently explained. These seats 3 3 may be mounted in position in various different ways; but preferably I provide bases 5 s therefor, joined together by an integral connecting base portion 3 and said bases are also in turn preferably integral with the corresponding side portions 1' i of the top iron, as indicated at s s. The bases are firmly held in position upon the upper surface of the plane-stock, (as are the remaining portions of the top iron 0,) and from the construction and organization herein shown it will be seen that an eminently strong and stable structure is had or obtained. Said inclined seats by being thus widely separated from each other enable a great saving to be had in the amount of metal employed in their construction, and an additional saving of metal is also derived in dispensing with any connection between the outer sides of the seats and the opposing inner sides of the top iron, excepting at the bases 3 8 as already described. In this way also the structure is rendered considerably lighter without loss of strength, while the space between the said inclined seats is utilized to partially receive and accommodate the working of the vertically-adjusting devices for the plane-iron, as will hereinafter appear.

Formed in the rearwardly and upwardly inclined wallf of the opening ct of the stock or body A and at predetermined points on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the plane are suitable openingsf f (see Fig. 2,) which extend into said body or stock substantially at right angles to such inclined surface, said openings each being for the reception of means, such as a screw it, for securing the supporting-frame D of the plane mechanismB firmlyin place. Said supporting-frame comprises, essentially, a substantially rectangular plate having therein suitable oblong slots or openings o 12, (see Fig. 5,) through which pass the fastening-screws u, (but one being shown,) the said slots or openings being for the purpose of enablingthe said supporting-frame to be moved or adjusted on the screws with respect to the plane-stock. The entrances to the openings f f in the stock are at the highest available point of the stock by which to bring the heads of the screws as close as practicable to and yet below the aXis of the forwardly-projecting screw E, which 'fits in said plate in line with the transverse center thereof. The purpose of this organization will be fully understood hereinafter, and it may be stated at this point that the base portion 3 of the top iron, as well as the upper surface of the plane-stock, are each preferably correspondingly notched or cut out at y y, by which to accommodate the inner end of said screw E in the event of any inward adjustments thereof being made at any time, though in most instances said notches may be dispensed with. It may also be here added that the upper surface of frame D is sunken or recessed at t" "0, so as to bring the outer surface of the heads of said screws to in a plane at least flush with or slightly below the highest parts of the frame-surface to thus enable the proper seating in place of the plane-iron D hereinafter referred to. The said supporting-frame D is made very thin and strong, as will be observed, and to further reduce the weight thereof it is preferably channeled out on the upper surface, as shown at z, for instance, thereby leaving slightly-raised surfaces 5, .2 .2 and ,2", and upon which rests the under surface of said planeiron, this latter element having an opening for the passage of screw E, and leading from which opening is the usual slot 2, between the sides of which extend the effective portions of the usual lateral and vertical adjusting devices for the plane-iron. The said frame D is also sunken in its upper surface just above screwE to form a recess 3 for the accommodation of the head at of the screw which secures the top plate 4 to the planeiron, and said plane-iron and said top plate each has the usual slot or opening 5 5, in

which works the end of the upper arm 6 of the swinging yoke-lever 8, the ends of the furcated arm 9 of which are engaged by collars 1O 11 on a sleeve working on a screw 12, fitted in a threaded opening in a bearing 13 on the under side of frame D and having a head 14 for manipulation thereof. These elements constitute well-known vertical adjusting devices for the plane-iron; but attention is called to the compact organization herein shown and provided whereby said bearing for the adjusting-screw is accommodated between the elevated inclined seats 5 s on the upper surface of the plane-stock. Pivoted at 15 upon the upper surface of frame Dis the usual laterally-adjusting lever 16 for the plane-iron, said lever having the button 17, engaging the sides of slot 2 of said iron, while secured in place upon the said top plate 4 is the usual clamping-bow 18, having therein a slot 19, the edges of which are engaged by the head of screw E, the said bow having on its under side, a spring 20, which is forced against the upper surface of the top plate at by means of a cam 21 on a lever 22, working in the upper end of the bow in a well-known way, the action of said cam at the same time being to throw the upper end of the bow upwardly or outwardly from said top plate. By turning said cam-lever upwardly or outwardly the parts are loosened sufficiently to enable any desired adjustments of the plane-iron to be made, or the elements above the frame D may then be temporarily removed for the purpose of adjusting the said frame upon its fastening-screws.

The supporting-frame D for the plane mechanism isformed with a wearing-sole 25, having therein the throat 26 for the cutting or operative end of the plane-iron, and immediately in front of the throat said sole is constructed with a wedge 27, extending the full width of the opening a in the stock, the forward inclined face 28 of which wedge snugly fits against the undercut or bevel e of said stock. Said wedge is united or connected with the forward or upper surface of the frame mechanism, at the edges thereof, by means ofintegral side plates 30, as shown, and it will be seen that one of the principal reasons for the adjustability of the said supporting-frame D is to enable the sole to be so adjusted with reference to the under or working face of the plane as to practically receive all the wear of the plane. As the sole itself wears it can be readily adjusted in compensation therefor, as is evident. Said supporting-frame D is formed on its under surface, at the lower end thereof, with a slightly-projected bearing-surface 31, extending all the way across the frame and which has its seat upon the lower part of the inclined surfacef of the rear wall of opening a in the stock, it being understood, of course, that said bearing-surface is planed or dressed 01f parallel with said beveled or inclined surfaces 6 and f, and the supporting-frame itself being also parallel therewith, so as to'occupy the necessary inclined position upon the plane. Also formed on the under side of said frame D at points substantially opposite the forward inclined edges or faces of the inclined seats or supports 3 s of the top iron are similarly-projected bearing-surfaces 32 32, (see Fig. 5,) which rest and have a firm bearing upon said seats or supports 8 s, the median line of the width of such surfaces being somewhat outside median lines passing between the vertical edges of each of said slots 12 1;, this construction aiding in the flexure or bending of the frame intermediate its supports or bearings, as is evident.

To assemble the parts of the plane,the frame D is placed within the opening a of the stock, with the bearing-surfaces 31 and 32 32 thereof resting upon the several seats therefor already described, and the screws u are screwed down very tightly upon the frame after the latter has been adjusted to bring the soleplate thereof to the desired position relatively to the bottom surface of the stock. The top iron and its plate may now be placed in position by slipping the same over the screw E,

after which the clamping lever or how is also applied in similar manner, and the cam-lever 22 is then turned downward, so as to throw the upperend of said clamping-lever outward or upward, while the spring on the under side thereof is forced against the top plate by the cam, thus holding the elements of the plane mechanism together very rigidly. In virtue of the construction of my improved supporting-frame D and cooperation between the remote bearing-surfaces thereof and the corresponding seats therefor upon the planestock the said frame is firmly and securely held down by means of its screws in amanner quite evident. At the same time the cam 21 is exerting a downward pressure upon the upper part of the plane-iron andits top plate, which pressure is of course communicated to and thrown upon the frame above its uppermost bearings, and simultaneously with this action the lower end of the clamping lever is thrown downward upon the lower part of the top plate by the cam, thus exerting a counterbalancing downward pressure on this end of the supporting-frame, the head of screw E obviously operating all the while as a fulcrum for the clamping bow or lever to work on. Due to the upward and downward positions to which the ends of the clamping-bow are thrown and held by the cam 21 considerable of an outward strain is placed upon said screw E and which exerts an outward pull upon the frame D, tending to lift the latter from the remotely-situated seats therefor and which is counter to the downward pressure exerted by the screws 11, and the bow and cam-lever to hold the plane in place. The opposing forces thus set up tend to the establishment of perfect equilibrium between the parts and result in a benchplane possessing the greatest stability and practicability and one in which chattering of the plane iron is practically destroyed or overcome,due to the inherent tension at which the frame D is always held.

In some instances the present construction may be modified to form the bearing-surfaces 31 32 on the stock itself and raised or elevated with reference to and parallel with the inclined surface f of the opening a in the said stock, in which case the entire lower or under surface of frame D would be formed, preferably, even or flat. A further modified construction also would be to form the inclined seats 3 s for the frame integral with the planestock rather than with the top iron; but the construction or embodiment herein shown, however, is the one preferred in practice.

As already explained, the plane mechanism of my present invention is compactly organized and is removable in entirety from the stock and adapted to be sold to the trade separately from the stock, being also adapted to plane-stocks or bodies of different sizes, asis clearly shown in the diagrammatic view, Fig. 8. As is well known, there is but slight variation in the heights of the plane-stocks of difierent standard sizes per series, even though the length thereof may vary considerably, and thus, as will be clearly seen, one or the other of the stocks may be employed with the same mechanism. Asis equally apparent, myimproved plane-stock may also be supplied to the trade separately from the plane mechanism, but preferably provided with the top iron.

My invention thus comprises a construction and organization of elements cooperating in the production of a bench-plane supplying in ample measure practically all the present-day requirements of such astructure, both as regards its utility as well as the operational, practical, and commercial advantages thereof.

Having described my invention, I claim 1. A plane comprising a stock having a bit and an opening for said bit,a bit-seating frame in said opening having projected bearingsupports, means for securing said frame to the stock and engaging the former between said projected supports, thus tending to flex the same, and a bit-clamping means tending to flex said frame in the opposite direction.

2. A plane comprising a stock having therein an opening the surface of the rear wall of which is continuous and of the same alinement throughout, a bit in the opening, abitseating frame also in said opening having remotely-situated hearings on such rear wall surface, means for securing said frame to the stock and engaging the former between such bearings, thus tending to flex the same, and a bit-clamping means tending to flex said frame in the opposite direction.

3. A plane comprising a stock having therein an opening the surface of the rear wall of which is continuous and of the same alinement throughout, a bit in the opening, a bitseating frame also insaid opening formed with slots and having remotely-situated projected hearings on such rear wall surface, screws passing through said slots for securing said frame to the stock and engaging-the frame between such bearings and thereby tending to flex the same, and a bit-clamping means tending to flex said frame in the opposite direction.

4. A plane comprising a stock having therein an opening the surface of the rear wall of which is continuous and of the same alinement throughout, a bit in the opening, abitseating frame also in said opening formed with vertical slots on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the stock and having remotely-situated projected hearings on such rear wall surface above and below the slots, screws passing through said slots for securing said frame to the stock and engaging the frame between such bearings, and thereby tending to flex the same, and a bitclamping means tending to flex said frame in the opposite direction.

5. A plane comprising a stock having a bit and an opening therefor, a bit-seating frame in said opening having on the under side thereof a lower broad projected surface portion bearing on the lower part of the surface of the rear wall of such opening, and also having on its under side similar projected surface portions situated on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the stock and similarly bearing on the upper part of such rear wall surface, means for securing said frame to the stock and engaging the former between said lower and upper bearings and thus tending to fiex the frame, and a bitclamping means tending to flex said frame in the opposite direction.

6. A plane comprising astock with an opening having an upward extension of the surface of the rear wall thereof, a detachable bitseating frame having on the under side thereof remotely-situated projected surface portions bearing on such rear wall surface and its extension, said frame being provided with an upwardly and forwardly projecting screw located intermediate said surface portion, a bit and its top plate, a clamping-bow having a cam-lever for securing the latter elements in place, said clamping-bow having a slot the edges of which engage beneath the head of said screw, thus tending to flex the frame outwardly, and means engaging said frame between said bearing-surfaces and tending to flex the frame inwardly.

'7. A plane comprising a stock with an opening the surface of the rear wall of which is rearwardly and upwardly inclined and provided with duplicate extensions beyond the top of the stock on opposite sides of the median line of the width thereof; a plane mechanism including a member having remote bearings on such inclined surfaces and extensions thereof and provided with a sole formed with a throat for the plane-iron, and adjusting means securing such member in place tending to flex the same between its supports.

8. A seating-frame for a plane-bit having on the under side thereof a lower projected surface portion, and similarly-projected surface portions remotely situated therefrom on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the frame, said frame having slots also on opposite sides of the median line of the width thereof, the median lines of the width of said slots being within the median lines of the width of said remotely-situated projected surface portions.

9. A seating-frame for a plane-bit having on the under side thereof a projected surface portion extending across the frame at the lower end, and similarly -projected surface portions remotely situated therefrom on opposite sides of the median line of the Width of the frame, said frame having intermediate slots also on opposite sides of the median line of the width thereof.

10. A seating-frame for a plane-bit having a projected bearing-surface across the rear or under side thereof at the lower end and similar surfaces remotely situated therefrom on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the plane, said frame being also provided with a sole formed with a throat for the bit.

11. A seating-frame for a plane-bit having a projected bearing-surface across the rear or under side thereof at the lower end, and similar surfaces remotely situated therefrom on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the frame, said frame having intermediate slots also on opposite sides of the median line of the frame, and being provided with a plate having a throat for the lower end of the bit.

12. A seating-frame for a plane-bit having a projected bearing-surface across the rear or under side thereof at the lower end, and similar surfaces remotely situated therefrom on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the frame, said frame having intermediate slots also on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the frame, the median lines of which slots are within the corresponding lines of said remote surfaces, and the frame being further provided with a sole having a throat for the lower end of the bit.

13. A plane comprising a stock with an opening the surface of the rear wall of which is upwardly and rearwardly inclined, a bitseating frame located on said surface having slots on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the plane, and screws entering the stock through said slots, said frame having a projected bearing across said inclined surface below the screws, and similarly-projected bearings above said screws, and also provided with a sole-plate having a throat for the lower end of the bit.

14. A plane comprising a stock having an opening therein, a bit-seating frame, having remotely-situated hearings on the surface of the rear wall of such opening, fastening means for said frame tending to flex the same in one direction between its bearings, and means having a similar tendencyin the opposite direction.

15. A plane comprising a stock having an opening therein, a bit-seating frame having remotely-situated hearings on the surface of the rear wall of such opening, fastening means intermediate said bearings tending to flex the frame in one direction, and means having a similar tendency in the opposite direction.

16. A plane comprising a stock having an opening therein, a bit-supporting frame having remotely-situated bearings on the surface of the rear wall of such opening, fastening means intermediate said bearings on opposite sides of the median line of the width of the stock tending to flex the frame in one direction, and means having a similar tendency in the opposite direction.

17. A plane comprising a stock having an opening therein, a bit-supporting frame having remotely-situated bearings on the surface of the rear wall of such opening, fastening means intermediate said bearings on opposite IIO sides of the median line of the Width of the stock tending to flex the frame in one directhe width of the frame, screws entering the tion, and means intermediate and directly stock through such slots and exerting an inabove such fastening means having a similar ward or downward pressure upon the frame, tendency on the frame in the opposite direcand means on the frame having a similar tion. tendency thereon in the opposite direction. 18. A plane comprising a stock having an r opening: therein, a bit-supporting frame hav- 1 JUSTUS TRAU ing remotely-situated hearings on the surface i slots on opposite sides of the median line of Witnesses:

H. S. WALTER, CHAS. B. STANLEY.

of the rear wall of such opening, and formed with substantially centrally located vertical 

